Attachment for a paint can or the like



INVENTOB. George Pryizkm Jan. 19, 1960 s. PRYTIKIN ATTACHMENT FOR A PAINT CAN OR THE LIKE,

Filed March 11, 1957 United States Patent ATTACHMENT FOR A PAINT CAN OR THE LIKE George Prytikin, Skokie, 11!.

Application March 11, 1957, Serial No. 645,368

3 Claims. (Cl. -257) This invention relates to an attachment for a paint can or similar receptacle for holding fluid material applied by a brush. More particularly it has reference to a device embodying a plurality of functions to eliminate many of the nuisances ordinarily attendant upon application of fluid material with the aid of a brush.

Among the objects attributable to an attachment in accordance with the invention are: the provision of a rack for supporting the brush or brushes when not in use; a shield for the gutter at the top of the can with which the pressed-on lid of the can cooperates to avoid accumulation of paint in the gutter and the dripping thereof down the lateral wall'of the receptacle; a rigid bar transversely of the top opening of the can for stripping excess paint from the brush during ordinary use thereof; a movable bar cooperable with the fixed bar in the manner of a vise whereby excess paint may be squeezed from the brush at the termination of the job and which movable bar may be swung out of operating position to the side of the can when not in use, and clamping means for detachably securing the device to the periphery of the can.

Other objects will appear from the ensuing description which, taken with the accompanying drawing discloses a preferred mode of carrying the invention into practice.

In this drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective representation of a device embodying the several features of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof; and

Fig. 3 is a detail in section to illustrate the action of the brush-squeezing feature.

In describing the invention reference will be made to the employment of the device in connection with a conventional paint receptacle of the type wherein a rib formed on a pressed-on cover is engaged in a complemental groove or gutter peripherally of the top margin of the receptacle. However, such environment is not to be construed as limitative since the shield of the device may possess equivalent utility in connection with those receptacles for paint or other liquids equipped with other types of closures.

Referring to the drawing the invention device comprises a body or shield 10 of annular form including an upper wall 11, an outer wall 12 and an inner wall 13 defining an inverted channel adapted to overlie the rim or top of a container 15. The device also includes means for detachably securing the same to the container. By way of example I have shown a plurality of lugs 17 depending from the wall 12 and upturned at their extremities to receive a wire band 18 terminating in a plain loop 19 and a threaded loop 21 for receiving a thumb screw 22 for tightening the band 18 about the container whereby to secure the device in position during use.

From the preceding it will have become apparent that excess paint which ordinarily is dislodged, or drips from the brush when passing the same over the mouth of the receptacle is intercepted on the walls 11 and 13 for return to the container and that the gutter and the region therearound is maintained free of accumulation and the con- 2 sequent elfort of cleaning the same is avoided. Preferably, and as shown, the wall 11 is inclined downwardly to facilitate drainage. Moreover, if desired, the wall 13 may be dispensed with although, as shown, the same increases the rigidity of the device substantially.

A formed-wire brush supporting rack 31 is spot-welded or otherwise afiixed at one side of the guard 10 and comprises the loops 3232 for engaging the handles of extra brushes to suspend them conveniently at hand, and a loop 33 whereupon the handle of the currently used brush may rest with its heel on the shield 10 or upon the member 35 now to be described.

This latter is preferably a rod or wire 35 of suitable stiffness having a straight central portion 36 preferably spot welded to the wall 11 and positioned away from the center of the device to permit unobstructed entry of the brush to the interior of the receptacle. The rod 35 may be used to stroke excess paint from the brush as is customary after loading the same.

Adjacent one end of the rod 35 there is provided a loop 41 which, while desirably integrally formed as a part of the rod, may be independent thereof and separately fastened to the shield 10. A rod 42 is hinged upon the loop 41 as by flattening and offsetting the end of the rod and providing an aperture43 therein. Adjacent the opposite end of the rod 35 there is provided a finger piece 45 which, like the loop 41, may be integral with the rod 35 or independently secured to the shield 10.

The rod 42 cooperates with the straight portion 36 of the rod 35 to constitute a brush-squeezing means. Thus, referring to Figs. 2 and 3 the brush B is placed between the members 36 and 42 while in open position (solid lines in Fig. 2) and squeezing force is applied with the thumb against the distal end of the member 42 and a finger pressed against the loop 45. While the brush is held interposed between the tongs thus formed the same may be drawn upwardly with the other hand to strip the bulk of the paint therefrom and into the container. The broken lines in Fig. 2 illustrate substantially the operative position of the member 42.

When the member 42 is not in use the swivelling character of the connection between the opening 43 and the loop 41 permits the member to be swung outwardly and downwardly to assume a readily available position adjacent the receptacle and away from the usual working areas of the device.

While I have shown a particuar embodiment of my invention, it will be understood, of course, that I do not wish to be limited thereto since many modifications may be made and I therefore contemplate by the appended claims to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

I claim:

1. A brush-squeezing attachment for use with a fluidcontain-ing receptacle provided with a rim defining an access opening for the receptacle comprising a support including means for detachably securing the support to the rim to prevent lateral displacement thereof, a nonrotatable rigid rod positioned transversely of the opening and secured at its ends to said support, a second, rigid, elongated rod and means for swinging the same about one end thereof toward and away from said fixed member, said rods, when brought together serving to squeeze the liquid contents of a brush inserted therebetween and drawn between said members, the plane of swinging movement being parallel to the receptacle opening to enable the brush to be drawn between the rods in a vertical direction. 1

2. An attachment in accordance with claim 1 wherein said swinging means comprises a loop secured to said support adjacent one end of said first rod, an apertured termination at the corresponding end of said second rod engaged loosely over said loop, said termination being so related in apivotal manner to the loop as to provide an active position for said second rod parallel to said first rod and an idle position therefor suspended adjacent the lateral wall of the receptacle.

3. An attachment in accordance with claim 2 further characterized by the provision, adjacent that end of the first rod corresponding to the distal end of the second rod, of a finger piece secured to the support-to provide a point of application of pressure by one finger as the second rod is forced into brush-squeezing position by the thumb.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Fischer Feb. 10, 1914 Nehr Mar. 27, 1917 Yenne June 9, 1936 Reid July 26, 1938 Carlson Mar. 28, 1939 Cave Nov. 26, 1940 Hansen Mar. 2, 1948 Dalia Sept. 27, 1949 Comfort Dec. 12, 1950 Frank Dec. 19, 1950 Wells June 17, 1952 

